Lara finally quits international cricket

Tomorrow's World Cup match against England will be a watershed moment for West Indies cricket as the match marks the legendary Brian Lara's last international appearance.

Lara, who is the world's leading Test runscorer, announced last night he was retiring from all international cricket.

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He had been expected to quit one-day cricket, but his decision to call it a day at Test level as well following the 99-run win over Bangladesh in Barbados has come as a surprise.

"On Saturday, I'll be bidding farewell to international cricket as a player," he told a news conference.

"I've already spoken to the board and my players."

Lara's position had come under scrutiny during a dismal World Cup campaign and he was not certain to be selected for the England tour.

His decision has allowed him to end his phenomenal career on his own terms rather than allowing the West Indies Cricket Board to force his hand.

Lara has often polarised opinion in the Caribbean. He boasts statistics of one of the true greats of the game but his performances have not always inspired the team.

He has had three largely unsuccessful stints as captain of the side and played in an era when the West Indies went into decline after the dominating the game in the 1970s and 1980s.

Former West Indies captain Jimmy Adams hailed Lara's contribution to West Indian cricket.

He said: "His value to West Indian cricket has been enormous, he has been the standard-bearer for the last 10 years, almost single-handedly.

"He has carried a hell of a load on his shoulders over that period and his statistics are just phenomenal."

In the Windies' penultimate match against Bangladesh, already a dead rubber, Ramnaresh Sarwan hit an unbeaten 91 from 90 balls to help the hosts recover from a poor start to post 230 for five.

He shared in a fourth-wicket stand of 81 with Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who scored 50, while Lara added a brisk 33.

Sarwan later admitted he had done his own captaincy ambitions no harm with his knock, even more prescient given Lara's later announcement.

"No, I haven't," he said. "But the main thing was I was playing for the team, that is the most important thing.

"We got the result that was important. It was a difficult pitch to bat on but as I got in it got more comfortable to play on."

Bangladesh struggled in reply and were bowled out for 131 after particularly finding the pace of the pitch difficult to deal with. Corey Collymore (two for 11) and Daren Powell (three for 38) both impressed as West Indies finished the Tigers off inside 44 overs.

Yet Bangladesh, whose tournament is now over, will still return home with their heads held high after beating India and South Africa and they could be contenders for the next World Cup in Asia in 2011.